# Soyuz TMA-06M

> Spaceflight to the International Space Station

**Wikidata**: [Q1458391](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1458391)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyuz_TMA-06M)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/soyuz-tma-06m

## Summary
Soyuz TMA-06M was a human spaceflight mission to the International Space Station (ISS) launched on October 23, 2012. Operated by the Roscosmos State Corporation as part of the Soyuz programme, the mission utilized a Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft to transport three crew members of Expedition 33 to the ISS before landing safely in Kazakhstan on March 16, 2013.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** October 23, 2012
- **Landing Date:** March 16, 2013
- **Spacecraft Model:** Soyuz TMA-M
- **Launch Vehicle:** Soyuz-FG
- **Operator:** Roscosmos State Corporation
- **COSPAR ID:** 2012-058A
- **Destination:** International Space Station (Low Earth Orbit)
- **Orbital Inclination:** 51.65 degrees
- **Launch Site:** Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31
- **Landing Location:** Kazakhstan (Coordinates: 50.7569°N, 67.3422°E)

## FAQs
### Q: Who were the crew members of Soyuz TMA-06M?
A: The mission carried three crew members: Oleg Novitskiy (Spacecraft Commander), Yevgeny Tarelkin (Flight Engineer 1), and Kevin A. Ford (Flight Engineer 2). All three served as part of Expedition 33.

### Q: What spacecraft model was used for this mission?
A: The mission used the Soyuz TMA-M, a modernized version of the Soyuz spacecraft, launched atop a Soyuz-FG rocket.

### Q: When did the mission conclude?
A: The Soyuz TMA-06M mission concluded with a landing in Kazakhstan on March 16, 2013.

## Why It Matters
Soyuz TMA-06M represents a critical link in the continuous human presence aboard the International Space Station (ISS). As a component of the long-running Soyuz programme, this mission facilitated the transport of Expedition 33 crew members, sustaining ongoing scientific research and station maintenance in low Earth orbit. The mission exemplifies the reliability of the Soyuz TMA-M spacecraft and the Soyuz-FG launch vehicle, which served as the primary crewed access route to the ISS during the period between the Space Shuttle retirement and the advent of commercial crew vehicles. By successfully rotating crew members, the mission ensured the operational continuity of the ISS, highlighting the enduring role of Roscosmos in international space exploration.

## Notable For
- Serving as the transport vehicle for **Expedition 33** crew members.
- Being an instance of the **Soyuz TMA-M** spacecraft class.
- Launching specifically from **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31** rather than the more common Site 1.
- Maintaining an orbital inclination of **51.65 degrees**, standard for ISS rendezvous.
- Being preceded by **Soyuz TMA-05M** and succeeded by **Soyuz TMA-07M**.

## Body
### Mission Profile
Soyuz TMA-06M was a spaceflight dedicated to transporting personnel to the International Space Station. The mission launched on October 23, 2012, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, specifically utilizing Site 31. It was propelled into low Earth orbit by a Soyuz-FG launch vehicle. The vessel remained docked at the station for the duration of the crew's stay, serving as a lifeboat and return vehicle.

### Crew and Roles
The crew consisted of three individuals assigned to Expedition 33:
*   **Oleg Novitskiy:** Spacecraft Commander
*   **Yevgeny Tarelkin:** Flight Engineer 1
*   **Kevin A. Ford:** Flight Engineer 2

### Return and Landing
The mission concluded on March 16, 2013. The Soyuz TMA-M capsule executed a landing in Kazakhstan, touching down at coordinates approximately 50.7569° North latitude and 67.3422° East longitude.

### Program Context
Soyuz TMA-06M was a part of the wider Soyuz programme. In the sequence of Soyuz flights, it followed **Soyuz TMA-05M** (the 114th flight of a Soyuz spacecraft) and was followed by **Soyuz TMA-07M**.

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## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](http://www.spacefacts.de/mission/english/soyuz-tma-06m.htm)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. BabelNet